East Michigan News

Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) has requested that Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick investigate Anker Innovations, a company backed by the Chinese Communist Party, for alleged unfair trade practices and possible tariff evasion. In his letter, Moolenaar cited concerns about Anker’s import activities and history of security vulnerabilities in its products.

"Beyond unfair direct subsidies, we want to highlight Anker’s import practices and potential tariff evasion. Information reviewed by the Committee suggests Anker employs various unlawful methods to avoid U.S. tariffs, including misclassifying product codes to obtain non-China country of origin designations (e.g., misclassifying batteries as wireless chargers)," writes Chairman Moolenaar in the letter.

Moolenaar also addressed issues with Anker’s Eufy brand security cameras. “Anker, through its Eufy brand, has a documented history of significant security vulnerabilities related to its security camera business and has been accused of misleading the public about these issues,” continues Moolenaar. “Public reporting indicates that Anker eventually admitted that its statements about Eufy security camera encryption were inaccurate and that unencrypted video streams could be accessed. At worst, Anker poses a risk by potentially embedding foreign surveillance and destructive capabilities into household items; at best, it leverages anticompetitive practices to dominate a strategic supply chain.”

The committee's request comes amid ongoing scrutiny of technology companies linked to foreign governments and their impact on consumer safety and national security.